The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-03-15
MAYOR cHApmAN,s INAUGURAL



business houses and private residences can be
connected with the police station and at any
nour signal for assistance, which will be forth
coming as promptly as any response is made to
d nre alarm. This system is expected to be IN
working operation soon after April LIST, and no
doubt Will prove valuable and economical
ADJUNCT to our police department.
OTHER DEPARTMENTS.
Lack of time precludes my abiding to many
matters worthy Of mention in the various other
city departments. l cannot, however, forbear
speaking of the judicious and kindly manage
ment OF the department of the poor, and the
servlceable labors Of the trustees OF Evergreen
cemetery. The recommendation OF the latter
Tor the introduction of Sebago water into the
cemetery should receive your speedy sanction.
In this connection it is fitting that we pay
tribute OF respect to the memory sof our de-
parted friend who deceased last summer, while
serving upon the board of trustees with char
acteristic faithfulness and efficiency.
rSMPRevED REAL ESTATE.
The selling of unimproved real estate has
continued to such purchasers as would agree to
erect residences thereon within one year from
purchase. Under this plan many new homes
are being established and permanent invest
ments made upon hitherto unproductve land.
The value Of remaining lots is thereby appre-
ciated, enabling us TO realize better prices
from year to year. l would suggest the open
ing of new street across the city farm, run
ming parallel to st. John street, whereby many
excellent building locations will be made
available for market.
STREET LIGHTING.
At the expiration of the contract for light
ing our streets by electricity, it was renewed
for another year upon still more favorable terms.
Our citizens are growing more and more reluc-
tant to return to the old system OF lighting by
gas, and yet, with only one method Of lighting
employed we are exposed to the peril OF being
absolutely without light, should any accident
occur to the plant of the Electric company.
In some cities the two systems are being COM
bined under one management, and, where
such is fortunately the case, advantages result
both to individuals and the municipality
through the use and substitution at WILL of
either method of lighting at reduced cost from
otherwise existing rates.
PORTLAND CENTENNIAL.
The centennial anniversary of the incor-
poration of Portland as town was duly OBJ
served by an appropriate celebration. all the
events of which are fresh in your memory. 1t
became our pleasure on that occasion to well
come back into our midst, hundreds of the
returning sons and daughters and former resi-
dents of Portland, who not only testified to
the substantial municipal progress made dur
ing their absence, but also of their continued
affection and loyalty for the home of their
youth. Our city was laid under much obliga-
ton to the general government for ordering
the North Atlantic squadron to rendezvous
here and assist in the celebration. thus adding
peculiar interest to our already absorbing
anniversary. A full account of what tran
spired during the celebration, as well as a
history of its preparation, has been published
under the direction of committee of the city
government. This volume, while interesting
now, will possess yet greater interest to
those who come after us.
Measures have also been inaugurated for a
centennial volume illustrating the growth of
Portland, during the century, in its various
departments of activity. Such a volume, it
is hoped. can be published during the present
year, and, when completed, viii prove a speci-
ally valuable contribution to local history.
OLD CITY HALL.
The legislative act, under which our citizens
were authorized to vote for the condemnation
and taking of old city hall lot for the site of a
soldiers monument, provided that, when the
vote was canvassed by the aldermen, the
mayor should forthwith make proclamation Of
the result. In compliance with the law, an
nouncement was duly made through the public
press that the people had registered their ver-
dict in approval of the measure. 1t now re-
mains, in the absence of legal complications,
for the mayor to proceed with the work of de-
molition. A period of six months is allowed
his discretion in which 10 accomplish this act
but the obligation of removal in no wise ter
inmates, if the old city hall remains standing
at the expiration of that period. Hence it
may generally be admitted as expedient 70
postpone the work of demolition until such
date as the directors Of the Monument associa-
ton may designate.
PORTLAND AMP oGDENsBURG RAILWAY.
This road continues in the hands Of the re-
eeiver, but during the past year, it has been
recognized under the special legislative &C;
obtained for that purpose, and is now known
as the Portland and Ogdensburg railway. All
the franchises, rights and property of the old
corporation have been conveyed to the new
company. Under the reorganization, the
stock of the original corporation has become
valueless. the controlling ownership passing
into the holders of the second mortgage bonds.
These, with the unpaid coupons, are to be con-
yerted into stock constituting the capital of
will own S2,200.500. Beyond this sum the
city claims additional stock to the amount of
$685. covering the coupons from Novem-
Der /, 1871, to May l, 1875, upon the Portland
and Ogdensburg bonds owned by the city, and
originally held as collateral. 1t is true the
corresponding coupons of the city bonds given
in exchange, were provided for by the railroad
company up to May, 1875, but the city holds
its claim should be allowed on the ground
that it received full title in 1881 to the Port
land and Ogdensburg bonds and all coupons
upon them; and, also, to secure equitable set
Element with respect to the other bondholders
who came into ownership of their bonds with
all the coupons attached notwithstanding
partial interest was paid upon some of the
loans for which they were pledged as collateral,
and the coupons themselves antedated by
several years the period when the loans were
negotiated by the railroad company.
In order to have final determination of its
claim, the last city government passed an order
requesting the directors of the Portland and
Ogdensbnrg railway to cause this stock to be
issued to the city, and the directors so voted.
This vote necessitated acquiescenee on the
part of the remaining second mortgage bond
holders, or a suit to restrain the vote from be-
ing carried into effect. Such suit was brought
by two banks in Bath in order to have legal
adjudication of the rights of all parties. The
case is being made up and will go before the
supreme court for decision at the next July
term. Meanwhile, by common consent no
stock is being issued in exchange for bonds,
and, whatever may be the issue of this suit,
the city's control in the road is in no wise
imperilled.
The importance of the Portland and Ogdens-
burg railway is fast becoming more apparent
through the overtures made for its purchase or
lease by other railroad systems. Early last
year the Maine Central railroad manifested a
disposition to acquire the Portland and Og-
densburg by lease, and a subcommittee of
Ogdensburg directors was appointed to confer
with the officers of that road, and consider and
report upon any proposition which they might
make in this direction. A proposition was
submitted by them to lease the road, assuming
all its liabilities, and paying one per cent div-
dend upon its stock for the first three years
succeeding the date of the lease, and two per
cent forever afterward. Under these terms
the city would receive about $4,000 per
annum for the first three years and $4,000,
annually, thereafter. This proposition, in the
opinion of the committee was not sufficiently
favorable for the city to accept and it was ac-
cordingly declined. Besides the Maine Gen.
trail, other and more distant railroads have
evinced desire to acquire the city's interest,
thus demonstrating that, at no distant day,
the city will be able, if so dispoeed,
to part with its interest in the